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Shorthand and TypeIt4Me

TypeIt4Me, by Ettore Software Ltd., and Shorthand side by side: what each does, what it costs, and where it runs. Facts about TypeIt4Me come from its own website, checked on November 5, 2026.

Side by side

Feature

Shorthand

TypeIt4Me

Platforms

macOS 14 or later, Apple Silicon

macOS (separate TypeIt4Me Touch app for iOS)

Price

Free download

One-time $19.99 on the Mac App Store; no free trial for v7

Native on Apple Silicon

yes

yes

Where it works

system-wide in all apps

system-wide in all apps

Fill-ins and forms

yes: fields, pop-up menus, optional sections, live preview

yes: text fields and pop-up menus

Date math

yes

yes

Script snippets

AppleScript, shell, and JavaScript

no (AppleScript removed in v7, sandboxed)

AI

12 providers (Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, local models, and more) with your own key and a fallback

none mentioned

Sync

your own folder (Dropbox, iCloud Drive), optionally encrypted

optional iCloud Drive

Team sharing

no

no

Account required

no

no (Apple ID for the App Store)

Encryption or app lock

yes: AES-256 encryption and a Touch ID or password lock

none documented

Per-app rules

yes, per group and per snippet, plus an app and website blocklist

yes: only expand in / don't expand in

Open source

no

no

Latest version

1.5.4, November 1, 2026

7.2.2, 2026-05-12

Where TypeIt4Me shines

  • Long-running Mac expander with a one-time price

  • Rich snippets and fill-in templates

  • Per-app rules and a search window

Where Shorthand is different

  • Optional AES-256 encryption of your library and backups, and a Touch ID or password lock.

  • AI built in, with your own key: rewrite selected text, AI inside snippets, and 12 providers with a fallback.

  • A privacy blocklist: Shorthand stops listening completely in password managers and on sites you block, and asks before working in a new app.

  • AppleScript, shell, and JavaScript snippets, run in the background with a time limit.

Shorthand’s limits, to be fair

  • Mac only, and only Macs with Apple Silicon (M1 or newer).

  • No iPhone or iPad app.

  • No team sharing: a synced folder works for one person’s Macs.

  • Sync uses a folder you provide (Dropbox or iCloud Drive), not a built-in cloud service.

Moving from TypeIt4Me

Directly: a .typeit4me set file, with dates, date math, the clipboard, and keys converted. Choose File ▸ Import Snippets… in Shorthand. Step-by-step switching guide

Importing from other apps · Exporting your snippets

Sources

Checked November 5, 2026. Prices and features change, so check TypeIt4Me’s website before you decide. Spotted a mistake? Email support@shorthandexpander.com and we’ll fix it.

TypeIt4Me is a trademark of its owner. Shorthand is an independent product, not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by TypeIt4Me or its owner.